DepEd-10 chief: Education has to continue at all cost

“WE MAKE  sure that education has to continue at all cost and in different modalities,” Department of Education (DepED)-10 Regional Director Arturo B. Bayocot emphasized during the Talakayan sa PIA media forum held at Pearlmont Hotel here on Thursday, May 7. 

The DepED has announced August 24 as the opening of classes for the next school year, which Director Bayocot said, "may be done face-to face or online depending on the local conditions of the area."

He hoped that all would be back to normalcy, as August 24 is still months away. 

However, Bayocot shared that the department is bracing for and ready to all possibilities. Face-to-face classes could be conducted provided basic precautionary measures are observed like social distancing, which may require only 15 students in a class. Should face-to-face classes be impossible due to COVID-19 pandemic, the mode of delivery of education will be made online. 

He added that modular learning would be used for students who lack access to internet. Also, it would be hard for DepED to provide gadgets to some 27 million students, Bayocot explained.

According to Bayocot, the DepED is now preparing the printed modules for this type of learning. "With this modality, certain conditions have to be followed and the participation of the school, teachers and parents are esential," the regional director said.

"Just like the pandemic, education is everybody's concern and dili lang ni amo, dili lang ni sa eskwelahan, kundi atu ning tanan (Just like the pandemic, education is everybody's concern, not just of us in the DepEd but all of us - school, community and parents),” he said, adding “it takes an entire village to educate a child.” 

As regards holding graduation rites, Bayocot said "we are not closing doors and hopeful that all will be back to normalcy. Although some schools were able to conduct their graduation ceremonies on time, the same could be conducted if conditions warrant, and if the local government and the Department of Health (DOH) would certify that it is safe to hold graduation programs.(By Irene Joy B. Dayo)